Leadership

We invite you to learn about the leadership of the Sandra Day O'Connor Institute for American Democracy, including our Board of Directors, National Advisory Board, and Senior Staff.

Founder
photo-sandra-day-oconnor
Sandra Day O'Connor

Founder

Sandra Day O’Connor made history in 1981 when she was sworn in by then Chief Justice Warren Burger as the first woman to the United States Supreme Court in its 191-year history. Appointed by President Ronald Reagan, it was O’Connor’s intelligence and grit that made her a transformational figure in the nation’s highest court of law.

To read a detailed biography of Justice O’Connor, please click here.

Board Of Directors

 

Board Officers

The Institute’s Board of Directors consists of 27 members who provide fiduciary and programmatic oversight, fulfilling the organization's bylaws.

Philip L. Francis

Co-Chair of the Board

PetSmart Inc. | Past President and CEO

Learn More

Gay Firestone Wray

Co-Chair of the Board

Learn More

Kelly Barr

Board Vice Chair

Global Futures Laboratory Arizona State University | Chief Alliance Officer

Learn More

Rufus Glasper, Ph.D.

Board Secretary

League for Innovation in the Community College | President & CEO

Learn More

Brian Scott

Board Treasurer

Nationwide Director of Private Banking, MidFirst Bank | Executive Vice President

Learn More
A smiling middle-aged man with gray hair and a beard is wearing a dark pinstripe suit, a light blue shirt, and a yellow and blue striped tie. The background is a light gray gradient.

Matthew P. Feeney

Immediate Past Chairman

Snell & Wilmer | Partner

Learn More

Board of Directors

Shirley Baum

Pinnacle West Capital Corporation and its subsidiary, Arizona Public Service Company (APS) | General Counsel

Learn More

Sandra Bierman

Blue Cross Blue Shield of Arizona | Vice President, Legal Services

Learn More

Wendy Breuder

MUFG | Former Arizona President and Head of Corporate Real Estate & Location Strategy

Learn More

John Bridger

Retired Executive

Learn More

Christy Burton

Burton Family Foundation | Co-Founder

Learn More

The Honorable Hugh Hallman

Mayor of Tempe Arizona, 2004- 2012 | Attorney, Berry Riddell LLC

Learn More

Chevy Humphrey

The Museum of Science and Industry | President & CEO

Learn More

Howard C. Katz

Retired Executive

Learn More

Jan Lewis

T.W. Lewis Foundation | Co-Founder

Learn More

Barbara Lockwood

Arizona Public Service | Retired Senior Vice President, Public Policy

Learn More

Tim Louis

Desert Capital Investments | President & CEO

Learn More

Vicki Mayo

Global Market Innovators | CEO

Learn More

Karen McConnell

Ballard Spahr | Partner

Learn More

Jane Michaels

Holland & Hart | Senior Counsel

Learn More

Delia D. Patterson

Salt River Project | Senior Director, Regulatory Affairs and Compliance

Learn More

Connie Robinson

The Gideon Group | Chief Operating Officer

Learn More

Jane Roig

Helios Education Foundation | Vice Chair

Learn More

Michael Rooney

Sacks Tierney | Attorney

Learn More

Bryan Saba

Desert Cedar Holdings | Principal

Learn More

Mark Stebbings

National Bank of Arizona | CEO

Learn More

Ken Udenze

Deloitte & Touche | Arizona General Partner

Learn More

National Advisory Board

 

National Advisory Board

The Board of Directors receives additional support from the National Advisory and Emeritus Board as the Institute continues to expand its efforts and reach in civil education, civic engagement, and civil discourse.

Adrienne Arsht

Philanthropist

Learn More

Ambassador Barbara Barrett

Businesswoman, Attorney and Diplomat

Learn More

Alan Day

Author

Brother of Justice O'Connor

Learn More

Bert Getz

Globe Corporation | Chairman and Director

Learn More

Brian Day O’Connor

Learn More

Francis Najafi

Pivotal Group | Chairman and Director

Learn More

Myles Lynk

ASU Emeritus College | Dean and Emeritus Professor

Learn More

Peter M. Hayes

Salt River Project | Retired Associate General Manager & Chief Public Affairs Executive

Learn More

Joseph P. Anderson

Benovia Winery | Co-Founder and Chairman

Learn More

Emeritus Board

 

Emeritus Board

The Board of Directors receives additional support from the National Advisory and Emeritus Board as the Institute continues to expand its efforts and reach in civil education, civic engagement, and civil discourse.

An older man with light hair and a smile wears a light-colored blazer and blue shirt. He is outdoors with green foliage in the background.

Frederick M. Pakis

Pakis Family Foundation | Chairman

Learn More
Portrait of an older man with short gray hair and glasses, wearing a suit, light blue shirt, and red tie, set against a plain background.

Stephen M. Savage

Ballard Spahr | Partner

Learn More
An older man in a black suit, white shirt, and red-striped tie is smiling against a dark background. He has short gray hair and is wearing round glasses.

Richard H. Silverman

Jennings, Strouss & Salmon | Of Counsel

Learn More

Senior Staff

 

Senior Staff

We invite you to learn more about the Institute's staff working to fulfill our mission and vision each day.

Sarah E. Suggs

President & CEO

Learn More
A woman with long blonde hair and glasses smiles at the camera. She is wearing a floral-patterned top and standing against a light-colored, tiled wall.

Heather Schader

Chief Operating Officer

Learn More
A person wearing a gray suit, white shirt, and red tie stands smiling in front of a leafy green background.

Liam Julian

Vice President, Programs & Public Policy

Learn More
A person wearing glasses, a dark suit, and a tie with a pattern of American flags is standing in front of a green leafy background and smiling slightly.

Benjamin Maynard

Director of Civics Education

Learn More
A smiling woman with long white hair wearing a red top and a colorful scarf stands outdoors. The background is blurred greenery.

Deborah Berkley

Director of Civic Engagement

Learn More
A person with blonde hair is smiling against a blue-textured background. They are wearing a white shirt, a black blazer, and a necklace.

Chris Ray

Director of Creative

Learn More
A woman with long brown hair is smiling at the camera. She is wearing a navy blue dress with a floral pattern and a pearl necklace. The background is a neutral-colored wall.

Renata Boles

Office Manager

Learn More
A woman with long brown hair in a black lace top smiles at the camera. She is standing in front of a leafy green background.

Nancy Montini-Robinson

Philanthropy Manager

Learn More
A person with short hair smiles at the camera, wearing a bright pink top with textured floral patterns. The background is a blurred green, resembling foliage.

Robin Niles

Controller

Learn More
A person with long, dark hair and a bright smile stands against a blurred green foliage background, wearing a black top.

Amelia Walters

Director of Digital Culture

Learn More
A smiling woman with shoulder-length brown hair, wearing tortoiseshell glasses, a patterned blouse, and a pearl necklace. She poses against a neutral gray background.

Meg Lewis

Communications Manager

Learn More